Lake Tekapo

On Friday we got up early and drove to Lake Tekapo. It was a four and a half hour journey. We finally arrived just in time for lunch. We had lunch on top of a mountain called mount John. The views were amazing and so were the hot chocolates.

All the way along the road into Tekapo there were big bunches of flowers. Mum told me they are called Lupins. They smell really nice too. 

There was no room at the campsite so we had to go to another place but it was horrible. Mum and Dad said we definitely weren't staying there. On the way back to the main road there was a place looking out to a lake - that was beautiful and very quiet so we stopped there. 

Lara and I caught up on some Strictly Come Dancing that Dad had recorded for us while Mum and Dad sat outside drinking wine. 

The wildlife of Dunedin

Beating daddy with my brain 

On Boxing Day Dunedin was the coldest town in New Zealand. It was 15 degrees. We went to a museum. First we went into a science play area bit. There was a game where you had to blow a ball into a basketball hoop. There was also a bit where you had to sit down and relax with a special headband on. By relaxing you can move a ball into your opponent's goal. Lara beat me, but I beat daddy. 

Then we went into a forest bit where the butterflies actually land on you. To make them land on us, Uncle Nick told us to rub some butterfly food on our hands. 

Here is a picture with my favourite butterfly on me.

This is my favourite butterfly

Also on Boxing Day, we went to see the Glow Worms. We walked into the forest near Uncle Nick's house and had to wait until it was dark. Little lights appeared all around us. It was amazing but I was very tired because it was very late. 

On Thursday 27th we went to a swimming pool by the sea. We all went in except daddy and Grumpfer. There was a small pool and big pool filled with salt water. In the afternoon, we drove to the end of the peninsular to see the Albatrosses. They were very big. I looked through Uncle Nick's binoculars and saw some seals on the rocks nearby. They were sunbathing. 

Later on Thursday, we drove back to the same place to see the Blue Penguins. They were going across the beach beside us, back to their nests. The Blue Penguins were scared of the sea lions and so swam quickly to the shore and waddled up the beach. I liked this better than the Glow worms. 

Christmas Day in Dunedin

On Christmas Eve we drove all day to Dunedin.  On the way we stopped at Moeraki Boulder beach.  We walked on the beach and Mum took some photos at the boulders and there was a little bit of water round them.  

Then we walked back to the camper van and finished the journey to Uncle Nick's house.  It was a late night.  On Christmas Day we were very excited.  Then we got out of bed and found a stocking full of nice things including a toy Kiwi.  I named it ......... Kiwi !

We had breakfast sitting outside in the sunshine.  

At Uncle Nick's we had another stocking and more presents.  We had Roast Turkey for Christmas lunch.  It was very sunny and we had a swim in the pool after lunch. 

In our campervan

Just picked up the van

I am now out of hospital and so far have had lots of brilliant days. We are travelling south to Dunedin. On the first night, still on the north island, we stopped at a campsite in Rotorua. It was quite late so we didn't get a chance to look around. It was our first time sleeping in the camper van. Me and Lara are sleeping in a little upstairs bit. We have to climb up a ladder to bed.

Our den bedroom

On Saturday, we drove all the way to the ferry in Wellington. It was a 3 hour crossing fron the north island to the south. When we got off the ferry, daddy then drove us through the night to Kaikoura. We camped by the side of the road. We were all exhausted. Sunday morning we drove into Kaikoura town and we went food shopping and then found a campsite. The sun came out and Lara and I went swimming. There were 3 pools. Two were really warm and the big one was really cold. Here's a picture. 

Cool pool at Alpine Pacific campsite

In the afternoon, mummy took us on a 3 hour walk just to find a sandy beach. We had across a river. Dad was too scared paddle so he tried to jump, but failed and his foot landed in the river! At the end of our walk, there wasn't even a sandy beach. We got a taxi back to the campsite and the driver said we'd walked straight past it! It was quite funny!

At night time, me and Lara went back into the swimming pool, then dad made us a barbecue. It was small but very yummy.

I have really enjoyed being in Kaikoura. Today we have a huge journey, all the way to Dunedin. I'm looking forward to seeing uncle Nick and everyone.

Not very well

We arrived in nz on the 18th.  That evening when we were in nz I had a seizure, we had to go to hospital in an ambulance. I couldn't remember what had happened but mummy said I was really poorly. I've had lots of tests and I was very brave. Now it's 21st and I'm much better and the doctor says I'm allowed out of hospital. I have to take some medicine every day to stop me having another seizure and I have to come back to Starship Hospital on 5th January to check I am well enough to fly home. 

I'm looking forward to starting my holiday properly now. 

Thanks for your comments

While sipping on a Mojito and children entertained I thought I'd say hello!

Our day of touring yesterday confirmed that Langkawi is indeed beautiful. Hiring the car was easy as was the drive as cars are right-hand drive and they drive on the left. Concierge did look at me somewhat strangely when I specified a manual drive: I guess they're used to Americans! Or maybe it's another sign that I'm behind the times!

The Waterfall (Temurun) we visited is a short distance from the hotel and , I was told, is 200m high. Seb is right: it was beautiful. Photos don't do it justice, but let's try

      Seb and Lara were playing quite happily in the pool until the monkey joined us. As Seb said, not all monkeys cause a problem. The Dusky Langurs are very placid. They sit at the top of the trees around the hotel munching on leaves (that's herbivores for you). The ones that visited us in the lounge and at the waterfall are of the Omnivore variety, so will quite happily snatch food, or bags they think might contain food, out of your hands. Also now that Lulu read the NHS guidance on visiting Malaysia, she (and to a certain extent, Seb) are concerned about Rabies.  In fact, there is no more of a problem here than several of the other places we've visited in and around Europe for example. Try convincing a 6yr old who knows her own mind though :-)

The other highlight of the day for me was the meal at Fish Farm. Quite a 'rustic' place- authentic - but the food was delicious. It made me smile that both Seb and Lara opted for chicken, but I enjoyed choosing my giant prawns/crayfish from the tanks.

So all in all, driving  round gave a good snapshot of the place and people (who were very helpful when asked for directions!). The geography is very varied - rainforest, paddy fields, rubber plantations, ramshackle townships and then busy Kuah (capital) and Patai Cenang (main resorts). All of it is very accessible to a first-time visitor so, in short, I'd definitely recommend it.

Hope you're enjoying Seb's blog. It's lovely to have comments from you all. He is really enjoying posting despite various snags with the technology. Sal x

Very nice day

We got up at 6.00 and went to have our breakfast. Then we walked until we got to the taxi. The taxi took us to Kuah town to jetty point. Then we walked till we got to the boat. When we got there we got changed and put our life jackets,snorkels and our masks on and went into the sea and snorkelled to the beach. Then we had a rest on the beach

Here's a picture of what the sea looked like

There was coral underneath the sea the coral was pointy so you aren't allowed to step on it because it will hurt your feet. We saw lots of lovely fish there was a multi-coloured fish. 

Here's a picture of some fish

There was also a platform so that you could swim to that before you swam to the beach. 

By the way we went down into an underwater  tunnel, which had a poster of the different fish on the reef, to see what fish are called it was good.